A/N: Okay, chapter two. In this one we switch to Holly's POV. When she's telling the story, it'll be first person, and when it's in the future, it'll be third person. Make sense? I hope so. Anyways, here's chapter two. I'm going to be trying to write as much over the summer as possible, because I dont wanna get rusty. I especially wanna write as much of this one as I can before I lose interest in it, which I hope doesnt happen but you can never be too careful. So, enjoy!

"Commander, please!" I said, my mind reeling. "You cant mind-wipe him."

Commander Root glared at me. I had set up a hologram projector in one of the empty studies and locked the door so we could have a private conversation. It was only half an hour before the mind-wipe was to take place. I couldnt let it happen.

"I can and I will, Captain Short." He growled, holding his arms. "You know perfectly well that we have to. It's the only option."

I looked into his pixelated face. "It isnt the only option!" I insisted. "There are a ton of things that could go wrong!"

Root raised his eyebrows. "And what are the chances of anything going wrong, Short?"

I sighed. I should have known this was comming. "About 28,000,090-to-one, Sir." (1) I replied, looking down. "But isnt there still a chance that something could go wrong? I mean, Artemis is a genius. Maybe there's something in Foaly's calculations that he wont expect."

Suddenly, Root's face was red. This surprised me. We hadnt been arguing that long. But what he said next startled me. "What did you just say?"

I frowned. "Foaly's calculations could be wrong? Honestly, Commander-"

"I DONT MEAN THAT!" He shouted, glowering at me. "WHAT DID YOU CALL THE MUD BOY!"

I thought back. "I called him Artemis, Sir." I answered, after a few moments. "Why? That's his name, isnt it?"

Root narrowed his eyes. Why was he acting this way? I had called Artemis by his first name, yes. But what of it? Root wasnt thinking along those lines, unfortunately. He stared at me with pure anger for a moment, then sighed. "Holly, what am I going to do with you?"

I was startled. "Commander, what are you talking about?"

He sighed, and his holographic hand patted my shoulder. "Holly, you've bonded with the human, havent you?"

I sighed, and bowed my head. "Yes Commander."

He was silent for a moment, and I looked up. His brow was furrowed, and I could tell he was thinking. "Do you think you could convince him to stop contacting the LEP and stop endangering our race?"

I stared at him, a hopeful bubble welling up inside me. Could he really mean it? "Yes, Sir. I think I could."

He nodded, and grunted. "Alright then. Get him to sign a contract saying that he will never contact the LEP for assistance again, and show it to me within the next ten minutes. I'll call off the mind wipe. I'll wait here."

I nodded, beaming at him. "Thank you, Commander!" I breathed.

He let out another grunt, then glared at me. "What are you waiting for, Captain? I said ten minutes or the mind wipe happens. So hurry up!"

I ran down the stairs, utterly happy. Of course I could convince him. We had become friends, and I'm sure he wanted to keep his memories more then anything. But, as I reached the middle of the stairs, I stopped. My heart sank. I couldnt do it. Even if he had changed, he was still the Artemis Fowl that had kidnapped me. The one who had been willing to risk his life, and the lives of the ones he cared about, for gold. Nothing would ever change what he was; a human.

I stayed where I was for five minutes, then slowly climbed back up the stairs and back into the study. Root's hologram was waiting. He frowned slightly when he saw the expression on my face. "Well? What did he say?"

I sighed, and shook my head. "He...he refused to sign." I lied, forcing myself to look my commander staight in the eye. "He said that he could never follow through with the agreement, so it would just be easier for all if he just accepted the mind wipe."

He looked into my face, and he nodded, though I dont think he truly believed me. "Very well. Foaly and the others will arrive shortly. I want you downstairs to supervise everything."

I nodded, and turned to go. But he stopped me. "And Short? One more question."

I looked up. "Yes sir? What is it?"

He was silent for a moment, staring at me with a sort of knowing look on his face. Then he asked me. "Do you love him, Captain?"

It was the hardest thing anyone has ever asked me. I thought hard about it for a while. It seemed like hours, but it must have only been a few minutes. Finally, I answered him. He took my word for it, and I left. I kept thinking about my desicion. I thought it was the right one at the time. If only I had known just how wrong I was.January 15, 2259

"You had a choice? You could have stopped the mind wipe?"

Holly looked up, staring at the shadowy figure. She had almost forgotten the man was there. "Y-yes." She replied, quietly. "I could have. But I didnt."

"Why not? If you were so close to him, surely you wanted him to remember you?"

She sighed. "I did want him to remember me." She admitted. "But...it was just too dangerous. I thought I was doing the right thing. Even if he had changed, he was still the human who kidnapped me and almost got me killed."

There was a long silence after that. Holly could tell that this man-"The Master"-was trying to decide whether he should all her to go or not. Finally, he spoke, his voice slow and and thoughtfully. "I believe there is more to the story than that, Luetenant."

Holly frowned. "Yes, I suppose. Though nothing happened after that for about six months."

"And then you noticed something was wrong?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..." Holly saw the outline of an arm being raised, and in the dim light from a rather expensive looking watch, she could just make out a scar on his wrist. "You have been here nearly four hours, Luetenant. When did you last eat?"

Holly thought about it, marveling at the fact that four hours had already passed. "Three days ago." She replied, finally. "I'm on punishment for assualting a guard. Solitary confinement and no meals for a week."

The man nodded. "Yes, I knew that. It was Stalin whom you assualted, correct? You broke three of his fingers and his nose." He chuckled. "Strange how someone so small can be so powerful, is it not?" He pressed down on his wristband, which started flashing red. "I'll give you some time to rest, Luetenant. But you will be back here tomorrow to continue." He paused, and Holly was suddenly struck with a question.

"Could I ask you something?" She asked, squinting to try and see if she could make out his face.

There was a moment of silence, then he spoke with a tone of amusement. "Perhaps." He replied. "What is your question?"

"Well...why do they call you Master? You're they're commanding officer, arent you? Are you really that vain?"

"Why, Luetenant, that is quite a question indeed. And perhaps I will answer you. In due time." As if on cue, the door opened, and Vinicio stepped in, bowing deeply."Ja, Meister. Was benötigen Sie?" (Yes, Master. What do you need?)

The man nodded from the shadows. "Nehmen Sie das Luetenant zur Verwirrunghalle. Stellen Sie sicher, daß sie ißt. Dann wünsche ich sie mich setzte zurück mit den anderen Gefangenen." (Take the Luetenant to the mess hall. Make sure she eats. Then I want her put back with the other prisoners.)

Holly looked up, surprised. Vinicio seemed to be just as surprised, not to mention outraged. He and Stalin were comrads, after all. "Aber, Meister. Sie griff Stalin an. Sie hat noch vier Tage nach links ihrer Bestrafung." (But, Master. She attacked Stalin. She still has four days left of her punishment.)

There was a short silence, and when the man next spoke, his voice was calm and deadlier then Holly would have imagined possible only a few minutes ago. "Sie trauen widersprechen mich, Vinicio? Möglicherweise sollte ich Sie in eine dieser Zellen werfen und Ihnen Nahrung für einige Tage verweigern." (You dare contradict me, Vinicio? Perhaps I should throw you into one of these cells and deny you food for a few days.)

Holly held back a chuckle as she saw Vinicio pale. "Nein, nein, Meister. Das ist nicht notwendig. Ich hole sie jetzt." (No, no, Master. That will not be necessary. I will bring her now.)

"Gut. Gehen Sie jetzt! Ich möchte allein sein." (Good. Now go! I wish to be alone.)

Vinicio bowed, grabbing Holly by the collar and dragging her out the door. As she was pulled out of the room, Holly saw the man take the object-her payment-and hold it in his hand, running a thumb over the surface. Who was he? And why was he so interested in learning about Artemis Fowl? She had a feeling she would find out soon enough.

A/N: Okay, I've decided to have a sort of contest. Just to spice things up. Each chapter, there will be two clues as to who The Master really is. One hidden in the story, and one mentioned in the ending Author's Note. If one of you can guess it before I actually say it, will get to choose one aspect of the story. Choices: An alternate, minor pairing (can include an OC), a canon character death, or a canon/OC character appearance. (If you can think of anything better, let me know.)

Contest Hint #1: He's appeared in at least one of my other fics